It boils down to this: Massachusetts needed a new power source, but it didn’t want an unsightly transmission line in its backyard. By Sandra Howard of Caratunk, a Registered Maine Guide and a Say NO to NECEC member Portland Press Herald op-ed CARATUNK — In 2017, Massachusetts initiated a large-scale procurement process for clean energy Read More
CMP Transmission Line Proposal: A Bad Deal for Maine
Central Maine Power (CMP) is proposing to build a 145-mile, high-voltage, direct current transmission line from the Quebec-Maine border to an interconnection with the existing New England grid in Lewiston. About 53 miles of the CMP transmission line route would create a brand new transmission corridor; requiring clearing of a large, currently undisturbed, swath of Maine’s North Woods.
The Natural Resources Council of Maine opposes the CMP corridor because it would harm Maine forests and wildlife, suppress Maine's renewable energy industry, and could actually increase climate change emissions, all without any clear benefit to Maine or Massachusetts.
Under its proposal, CMP would expand the other 92 miles of transmission line, requiring clearing more vegetation and undertaking additional development within existing corridors. The proposed CMP transmission line includes above-ground transmission lines across the Kennebec River Gorge, the Appalachian Trail, 263 wetlands, 115 streams, 12 inland waterfowl and wading bird habitat areas, and near Beattie Pond, a Class 6 remote pond.
Hydro-Quebec Offers Misleading Claims about Power’s Climate Impact
We can’t trust the utility’s publicists to represent correctly their own carbon emissions. by Bradford H. Hager, MIT earth sciences professor and a part-time resident of Mercer Portland Press Herald op-ed Hydro-Quebec’s claim that – as paraphrased by Portland Press Herald Staff Writer Edward D. Murphy – the electricity they would send south is “produced with Read More
CMP Transmission Proposal Puts Corporate Profits Ahead of Our Environment and Climate
The Natural Resources Council of Maine opposes Central Maine Power’s (CMP) massive, proposed transmission line across western Maine. It would harm Maine’s environment, economy, and way of life—and do nothing to reduce climate-disrupting pollution. It’s a bad deal for Maine. CMP proposes to build a 145-mile, high-voltage, direct current transmission line from the Quebec border Read More
Opponents Rail against CMP’s Proposed 145-mile Transmission Line at Durham Forum
By Hannah LaClaire, Times Record Staff Times Record news story DURHAM — Proponents say a planned 145-mile powerline cutting across Western Maine, terminating in Lewiston, would be a boon for renewable energy. The New England Clean Energy Connect would allow Central Maine Power to deliver hydropower from Quebec to Massachusetts. For boosters of tourism and Read More
Jackman Joins Resistance against CMP Power Line Project
Residents voted 78-11 to oppose the project at a special town meeting on Wednesday. By Meg Robbins, Staff Writer Central Maine newspapers news story JACKMAN — The town of Jackman has joined a number of towns and organizations throughout the state in opposing Central Maine Power Co.’s proposed transmission line that would bring hydropower from Read More
Jackman Residents Vote to Oppose CMP Transmission Line
Jackman joins Caratunk, West Forks, The Forks, in opposition; Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine and the Town of Alna rescinded prior support, too NRCM news release Tonight, at a special town meeting in the MSAD#12 School Gymnasium, Jackman residents voted 78-11, with one abstention, to oppose CMP’s proposal to build a massive 145-mile-long transmission line from the Read More
Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine Rescinds Support for CMP Transmission Project
by Fred Bever Maine Public news story Listen to full news story. The Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine (SAM) is rescinding its support for Central Maine Power’s controversial transmission project proposed for western Maine. The 141-mile project would bring electricity from Canada’s hydro-dams to consumers in Massachusetts, and it would require cutting a new corridor through Read More
Plan to Bring Hydropower from Canada to Mass. Faces Mounting Obstacles
By David Abel, Globe Staff Boston Globe news story It seemed like such a simple solution. To the north of New England, there’s a vast network of rivers and dams that generates massive amounts of hydropower, energy that could slake the growing demand for emissions-free electricity in Massachusetts. So the Baker administration sought proposals to Read More
CMP Power Line Plan Too Destructive to Maine’s Natural Beauty
As a hiker, I’ve seen the vistas that would be despoiled. Citizens should speak out in the strongest terms against the proposal. by Carey Kish, of Mount Desert Island, author of “AMC’s Best Day Hikes Along the Maine Coast” and author/editor of the “AMC Maine Mountain Guide.” Portland Press Herald op-ed The Appalachian Trail follows a Read More
